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With so many options on the market, it’s difficult to ascertain which entertainment package is best for your needs. Here’s how to get the best deal on your entertainment package.

Before you can decide what package you should choose you need to know what you actually want. To narrow them down you need to start asking the right questions.

1. First and foremost, you need to ask what channels and shows you want to watch. Not all channels are included in all packages, so think carefully about which ones you want to buy. Don’t just think about the latest blockbuster HBO series, but also consider what movie and live sports events your package will give you access to. There are plenty of grab bag packages that will give you a wide selection of different goodies when you sign up, but it will be annoying if you do this only to find the show you’re dying to watch isn’t included.

2. Secondly, you need to think about your budget. TV packages aren’t automatically the gold-plated money vacuums you might suspect. Some services are available for less than £15 a month. That’s a bare bones package that will only include a few basic channels and a set top box, but it’s from that starting point you can start adding the extra channels and better equipment, including PVRs.

Of course, a popular option is to get everything lumped together in one giant bundle with your phone service and broadband. This has the advantage of helping you save a few quid as well as giving you a convenient one stop shop to any billing or technical issues that come up. However, the downside is that these contracts tend to go on for a very long time.

3. You’ll need to consider is whether the TV service you want is available in your area at all. Why Sky and Freesat are available across 99% of the country, Virgin’s coverage reaches to a little over half the UK.

4. Finally, you’ll want to look at the extras your home entertainment package is going to throw in. Like we said, every deal will tend to include a set-top box, but sometimes they’ll throw a PVR into the mix so you can record, rewind and pause TV. Check the kit that’s part of the deal, and most importantly, check whether you pay for it. You may also find on-demand and catch-up services are included as well. Some, like iPlayer, are a given, but your package may include other extras as well.

Once you’ve been through these questions and decided what you want from your package, shop around and find the package that best lines up with those expectations. It’s a crowded market place, so expect to find many different offers competing for your money.